Book · 2015 · Social Science
The Secret History of Wonder Woman
Why people recommend it
The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore is a comprehensive non-fiction biography that uncovers the hidden origins of the iconic comic book superhero through the lens of early twentieth-century feminism, psychology, and the life of her creator, William Moulton Marston. The book has received widespread acclaim for its meticulous historical research. On an episode of People I (Mostly) Admire titled Reading Dostoevsky Behind Bars (Update), Reginald Dwayne Betts discussed incorporating Lepore's book into prison library catalogs through his nonprofit organization, aiming to provide incarcerated readers with engaging and rigorous historical literature. Betts elaborated on the book's reception in an earlier episode of the same podcast titled 112. Reading Dostoevsky Behind Bars, where he shared a specific letter he received from an incarcerated woman. According to Betts, the reader expressed profound appreciation after picking up The Secret History of Wonder Woman, describing it as an exceptionally amazing and memorable read. These reflections underscore the book's ability to transcend traditional literary boundaries and deeply engage diverse audiences, including incarcerated individuals who find inspiration and intellectual stimulation within its pages.
Who recommended it
- Reginald Dwayne Betts Discussed
Reginald Dwayne Betts — 2 mentions
“Professor J leore historian out of Harvard we got her book in there about Wonder Woman”
“and so the next day we literally got a letter from this woman saying I picked up that secret history of Wonder Woman and it is such an amazing book”